Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.

Chapter Six

Yugi

I couldn't shake the feeling. Something in my gut was telling me Dria was in trouble. But I wasn't in a position to do anything about it. That feeling just gave me one more reason to gain 10 star chips and get into Pegasus' castle.

Maybe I was just over thinking this. Dria was probably fine, and I'd probably see her watching some duels tomorrow. Who was I kidding? Somehow, I knew I probably wouldn't see her again until I was inside the castle. I just hoped she'd stay safe, wherever she was.

I couldn't help but feel like Pegasus was out to get me. Especially after resurrecting the "evil side" of Kaiba, it felt like he wanted me gone. I chuckled to myself at this thought. All I had wanted from that duel was to get back my Grandpa's card; it hadn't been my intention to defeat the reigning duel champion. I had no interest in titles. How did I get mixed up in this?

Joey went on to beat Rex Raptor, the second ranked duelist in the region. I was glad that Joey finally got his confidence up, proving he could be the duelist I knew he could be. We ran into Mai again later that night. Thank goodness she showed up; otherwise, we'd end up eating poisonous mushrooms.

"Joey, I don't think you should cook the candy bars."

"Back off, I know what I'm doing."

I shrugged as Joey continued to cook, looking up towards the castle. I kept wishing that Dria would either stand out on the balcony or come and hang out with us again.

Where was she?

Dria

I groaned in annoyance the second I opened my eyes. Pegasus had the nerve to send me to the Shadow Realm. I rubbed my temples, trying to soothe the pounding headache that had arisen.

"Well, well, well what do we have here?" A shadowy figure spoke from the darkness.

"You think you're so scary don't you?"

I heard a smile in his voice when he replied, "Most of the time yes, I am rather scary. But this is not the time to discuss my scaring abilities. What are you doing here?"

I growled a little. "Don't you think I would have told you if I knew? I was in my room, about to go to sleep, and the next thing I know, I'm stuck here talking to you."

"He's going to need your support in a few moments I'll have you know."

I turned my gaze to him. He hadn't changed at all since I'd last seen him. He nodded in response to his statement. "Technically, he'll have his first real shadow game this century relatively soon."

I sighed. 5,000 years ago, I wouldn't have been worried at all. Well, I would have been worried, but nowhere near my current stress level. But, I had to trust that Pharaoh could handle himself.

"Will you take me to him?" He nodded and swung me into his arms. He raced through one of my previous homes. I saw familiar shadows, which waved as I flew by. Most were confused as to why I had returned, but I didn't stay around long enough to explain. We got to the dueling site in a few moments.

"No, Tristian!"

"You made a sloppy move and now your friend, he paid for it with his very soul!"

My eyes widened in horror. What on earth was going on? He nodded towards Ryou, who was being controlled by the spirit of the Millennium Ring, Bakura. "The thief is after the puzzle again. He figured this would be the best way."

I floated down, out of his arms, and wrapped my own around my Pharaoh's neck. He sighed and relaxed into them, whether he realized it or not. He immediately pulled away when Joey attacked Bakura's morphing jar.

I gasped as Pharaoh drew the Dark Magician, his own and Yugi's favorite monster, not to mention one of my best friends. I giggled as little Yugi came to realize that his mind was not the only one that inhabited his body. I smiled in excitement as Joey and Tristian both accepted the strange sequence of events.

When Bakura revealed his Just Desserts trap, I couldn't stop myself from stepping in. I became completely visible and placed myself in front of Pharaoh. I felt the trap activate, practically ripping the 500 points per monster from my very soul. I managed to keep myself from screaming in pain, but I couldn't stop the immediate loss of energy that resulted in me falling to the ground.

"Dria? What are you doing here?" Pharaoh quickly pulled me into his arms, pulling me onto his lap. I tried to steady my breathing quickly; he needed to get back to the duel and forget about me. I felt myself turning back into a shadow.

"It doesn't matter. Win your duel. I'll be back." I gently kissed his cheek as my shadow friend pulled me back. He pulled me into his arms once more, dragging me off to somewhere else. "Dria!" I couldn't allow myself to look back; otherwise I'd just end up running back into Pharaoh's arms. "So, the old man finally betrayed you huh?" I kept silent, mostly because I couldn't believe it myself.

Pegasus had never gone this far. He always managed to come back to more stable ground before launching off in another direction, at least with my help. Now, he seemed beyond help. I knew things hadn't been easy since Cecelia died, but we had been doing well.

This was coming from the woman who locked herself in a room and cried for nearly 2 weeks straight after her husband vanished. But at least I had come to terms with what happened and tried to move on. I helped Priest, or I supposed Pharaoh, Seto rule for 50 years after my love's disappearance. I also helped his son rule for 15 years after that. By then, I was making myself appear nearly 90 years old. Although most people lived to be around that age, for a former queen to live and rule for that long was almost unheard of. Most of us died from battle, sickness, and even assassination by the time we had reached 25.

So, after Seto's grandson came to power, I chose to leave my land. I appeared before Sadiki and told him of my intentions to leave. He begged me to remain in the palace and to aid him as I had aided his father and grandfather. But times were changing and I was no longer a valuable asset to the royal court. Everyone I had grown up with was now dead or currently dying. I knew nothing about the current leaders or the current subtle political climate, as I had in the past.

He had gotten on his knees and begged me to remain.

"Please grandmother! Please remain here with me! It matters not how many of today's kings and rulers you know. You have seen things that many, including I, have not seen nor even heard of. I know I will need you in my coming years."

He fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around me. I smiled sadly, "It is not proper for a Pharaoh to bow before his servant, Your Majesty." He looked up at me, tears falling down his face and a hopeful look in his eyes. He scrambled back to his feet, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Does this mean you will stay?" I sighed. He did not realize it now, but if he took after his father the way I knew he would, I would not be of any use.

"I will stay."

I didn't stay for long. About 2 years after my change of plans, he unconsciously decided that he didn't need me. He brought in many new advisors, each one more radical than the previous. Each one became more and more demanding about his gold payments. Each one was bolder and fouler than the last in their remarks towards my grandson and to me as well. He never tried to stop them, and instead reveled in his ignorance, believing he had gathered the most educated people to himself. I had tried to stop them myself, even slapping ones who dared to insult him. He grew angry with me for harming his advisors. I couldn't stay any longer. So, I left.

I simply watched from the outside in sadness; my kingdom was falling on itself. I was powerless to do anything. He sent his guards out a couple of times, on a desperate search after me. He left many notes and gifts at the palace gates, apologizing for the way he had treated me. I never went back inside my palace. I left Egypt altogether after one of the advisors assassinated Sadiki.

"You still with me?" I shook my head, shoving my memories back into the dark corners of my mind.

"Yes, where are you taking me?" He hadn't said anything about where we were going. I didn't end up needing an answer.

"End Pegasus' futile plan, and then I want to talk seriously with you." I'd know him nearly my entire life, and he'd chosen now of all times to 'talk seriously' to me. I closed my eyes, leaning my head on his shoulder. I had forgotten how calming his scent could be. I didn't really know why he had chosen now to help me, but if it got me back to my Pharaoh, I'd take it.

I reopened my eyes and I was back in my room. I sighed, shaking my head as I sat up in bed. What a disaster. Well, first things first: I threw off the covers and headed for my dresser. I put on some semi-nice clothes. There was really no point in changing my hair, since my secret was out, but I decided to toss in some blue streaks just because. I smiled to myself as I thought of the time I did this in Pharaoh's palace. Seto was infuriated.

"The Queen of Egypt should not behave this way! And here I thought you were somewhat responsible! Your Majesty, please open my eyes to what in Ra's name you were thinking!"

I only smirked at him as he knelt below the dais upon which the Pharaoh and I sat. I had put some purple streaks into my previously brown hair. Everyone else thought it was funny.

"There was truly nothing that I was thinking at the time, Seto. I was a little bored and wanted to have some fun. Since Pharaoh himself was not around to occupy my time, I had to do something."

Pharaoh's eyes widened and a light pink blush covered his cheeks. Most of the priests chuckled a little, but Seto stood firm.

"What do you think the people of this kingdom will think when they see you, dare I ask?"

I cocked my head and smiled sweetly, "To be completely honest, I could care less about what they think. Surely by now most, if not all, have discovered that I do as I please nearly all the time. They know that I will see to their health, protection, and most of all, happiness as much and as often as I can. Plus, I love making people laugh even if it is at my expense. I am confident in myself and the opinions of others, including yours Seto, do not change my mind."

He sighed, completely and utterly vexed. Though he had known me for many years already, he had always hoped that I would grow into a mature and regal lady; his vision never came to fruition. I giggled and rose from my throne. I slowly danced my way over to Seto, smiling the whole way. I placed my hand on his cheek, lifting his eyes to mine. I leaned down and swiftly kissed his cheek.

"I do adore you, cousin, but you must relax every now and then. I have heard too much stress is an early death. I expect to die before you do. Please do not make a liar out of me."

He froze at the mention of my death. I could see the fear of the possibility in his eyes and his determination to prevent it at all costs. But, before he could say anything, I floated back over to the throne. I kissed my husband's lips and glided outside, where my brother was waiting for me.

I made sure my necklace was still around my neck before leaving the castle. I couldn't just walk out the front door, since Pegasus expected me to basically sleep until he felt it necessary to bring me back, assuming his "master plan" had, by some evil grace, actually worked. So, I went towards the window. I thought about leaving behind a note, but Pegasus would see me soon enough. I scaled down the castle wall as quickly but as carefully as I could. Once I touched the bottom, I set off to find Yugi.

From the shadows, he watched me go. He watched me fall into his trap exactly as he planned.